Cultural diversity
Language used at home
About this topic
Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.
This topic is useful for planning communication, multicultural services, and local engagement. It should be analysed together with proficiency in English and birthplace, because language alone does not show migration history or support needs.
Interpretation notes
- The Census records the language used most often at home, so it does not capture every language a person can speak.
- Language used at home is not a measure of English proficiency, literacy, or migration history on its own.
Key insight
In 2021, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Harvey (S), accounting for 87.2% (24,905 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,099 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Harvey (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Harvey (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Harvey (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
24,905
% of total
87.2%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
24,905
87.2%
+1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,431
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
1,431
5.0%
-2.3pp
Italian
2021 count
339
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
339
1.2%
-0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
239
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
239
0.8%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
228
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
228
0.8%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
169
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
169
0.6%
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
164
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
164
0.6%
0.0pp
Bislama
2021 count
59
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
59
0.2%
-
Hindi
2021 count
57
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
57
0.2%
+0.1pp
Malay
2021 count
47
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
47
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,099
+1.2pp
Not stated
-518
-2.3pp
Italian
-41
-0.2pp
Filipino
+80
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+70
+0.2pp
Tagalog
-11
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
-8
0.0pp
Hindi
+37
+0.1pp
Malay
+26
+0.1pp
Korean
+17
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Harvey (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| English | 24,905 | 87.2% | 80.9% | 22,806 | 86.0% | 81.7% | +2,099 | +1.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,431 | 5.0% | 10.5% | 1,949 | 7.3% | 10.0% | -518 | -2.3pp |
| Italian | 339 | 1.2% | 0.4% | 380 | 1.4% | 0.5% | -41 | -0.2pp |
| Filipino | 239 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 159 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +80 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 228 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 158 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +70 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 169 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 180 | 0.7% | 0.6% | -11 | -0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 164 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 172 | 0.6% | 0.5% | -8 | 0.0pp |
| Bislama | 59 | 0.2% | 0.0% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Hindi | 57 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 20 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +37 | +0.1pp |
| Malay | 47 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +26 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 28,567 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 26,525 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,042 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.